Success as 700 saplings are planted

Will Cook

A team of woodland volunteers braved the cold, rain and wind to plant hundreds of new saplings.

Green fingered helpers joined the Alkincoats Woodland Nature Reserve volunteer group at Alkincoats Park in Colne on Wednesday last week to plant 700 saplings donated by the Woodland Trust as part of phase two of the Alkincoats extension.

Volunteers work to plant the woodland extension at Alkincoats Park (s)

Twenty-five people battled the conditions to plant the saplings before winter sets in and the group’s deputy chairman, Dave McQuillan, praised the team for its efficient work.

He said: “We are very grateful to the Woodland Trust and the planting was very successful.

“Even though we had wind and rain we managed as a team to get all 700 off planted in three hours.

“On behalf of the Alkincoats Woodland Nature Reserve Volunteer Team, many thanks to all who turned up.

“As you can see, we managed to populate the second phase and we are all chuffed to bits.

“It was a great day and as passing walkers stated it was wonderful to see so many people planting young trees.

“Many thanks once again to all who helped special mention to Emily, Sue and Hannah from community garden makers who came along and brought 300 off trees and helped us all with a smile on their faces.

“I have applied to the Woodland Trust for another 420 for the end of March 2017.”

The group was successful earlier in the month in winning a £500 grant from the Skipton Building Society’s Grassroots Giving 2016 initiative.

This will help fund the new extension and footpaths and buying trees the group continues to develop the existing eight hectares with a further 2.31 hectares.

If you would like to contact Dave, email david.mcquillan2@ntlworld.com or call 07756 988007.